February 5, 2025
At the international forum “Technology, Digital, and Finance in the State-Business Sector” held yesterday in Bishkek, Ruslan Kulanazarov, an expert on digital technologies and data management systems in government agencies, sharply criticized the Kyrgyz authorities. His statement, made against the backdrop of discussions on legal guarantees in digital policy, caused a noticeable stir among delegates from more than 20 countries.
According to Ruslan Kulanazarov, there is a dangerous trend in the country: state and law enforcement agencies are increasingly resorting to gross interference in the activities of private companies and state structures, violating basic principles of legality. Kulnazarov expressed his opinion on the controversial decree issued by the government to transfer trade union funds to the presidential administration for the reconstruction of social facilities. In contrast, the money allocated by trade union associations was used to purchase sanatorium treatment vouchers for employees. The decree implied that all funds should be directed not to the health and treatment of workers, but to the reconstruction of state facilities, which is a violation of the constitutional rights of every working citizen to enjoy complete rest and receive treatment in sanatoriums in accordance with the Labor Code of the Kyrgyz Republic. He emphasized that the collection and use of confidential and personal data is often carried out without any legal basis, bypassing judicial procedures. According to him, this is not only a violation of national legislation but also a direct violation of Kyrgyzstan’s international legal obligations.
“Kyrgyzstan is a signatory to key international agreements, such as the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the Council of Europe Convention on Data Protection. However, the actions of the authorities demonstrate a gross disregard for these documents. The state is not only failing to fulfill its obligations, but is destroying the foundations of the rule of law,” Ruslan Kulnazarov said.
He warned that such systemic abuses have already undermined the country’s reputation on the international stage. Investors are losing confidence, and global partners are increasingly expressing concern about legal instability. According to Kulnazarov, practices such as extrajudicial demands, arbitrary detentions, political pressure, and intimidation have become systematic.
“We are facing a deterioration of the institutional legal framework. Instead of transparency and the rule of law, there is fear, repression, and corruption. Arbitrary arrests, psychological pressure, and sometimes even physical torture have become part of the arsenal of the security forces. Such methods are unacceptable in a state governed by the rule of law, and they indicate Kyrgyzstan’s drift toward an authoritarian regime,” he stressed.
Kulnazarov called for an immediate review of domestic policies and law enforcement practices. He proposed introducing strict judicial control over the activities of security agencies, increasing the transparency of state processes, and ensuring institutional accountability of officials. The expert particularly noted the need to return to international law if Kyrgyzstan wants to maintain access to global investment and be part of the civilized world.
“By ignoring the principles of the rule of law, the state is itself creating barriers to development. In such conditions, neither business confidence, technological progress, nor sustainable economic growth is possible. Instead of development, there is regression. Instead of investment, there is isolation. Today, the country faces a choice: either a return to the path of law or a final transformation into a closed, repressive regime,” Ruslan Kulnazarov said.
The forum brought together more than 350 representatives from international technology and cybersecurity companies, financial regulators, and government agencies. The main topic of discussion was the deterioration of the legal climate in several countries and its impact on digital transformation and economic development. Participants noted that for countries with developing economies, compliance with international legal norms is not just a formality, but a key element of trust, investment attractiveness, and sustainability.
As Kulnazarov noted:
“No digital transformation strategy will work if it is implemented in an atmosphere of lawlessness. Kyrgyzstan must make a choice: either continue down the path of arbitrariness and lose everything, or return to the rule of law, open the country to the world, and create a reliable platform for the future.”
The forum concluded with a call on participating countries to actively implement international standards, strengthen data protection, and ensure regulatory independence as a guarantee of long-term growth and international cooperation.
